Bills · HR 4404
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 4404Taxation
Hookah Clarification Act of 2025
INTRO JUL 15· LAST ACTION JUL 15
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
2BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters because it directly impacts the cost of waterpipe tobacco products across the United States. If it becomes law, businesses that make or import hookah tobacco would pay less in federal taxes, which could translate to lower prices for customers. This might make waterpipe tobacco more accessible or affordable for current users, and potentially attract new users, changing market dynamics.
If the bill doesn't pass, waterpipe tobacco will continue to be taxed at the higher rate currently applied to regular pipe tobacco. This means the status quo of higher costs for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers of waterpipe tobacco would remain, and the distinction between waterpipe and traditional pipe tobacco for tax purposes would not be made.
KEY PROVISIONS
3AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes a new, lower federal excise tax specifically for waterpipe tobacco.
This provision creates a distinct tax category for waterpipe tobacco, separating it from general pipe tobacco and significantly reducing its tax rate.
PROVISION 02
Sets the tax rate for waterpipe tobacco at $0.5662 per pound, while keeping non-waterpipe tobacco at $2.8311 per pound.
This specifies the new financial burden for waterpipe tobacco producers and importers, making it considerably lower than other pipe tobaccos.
PROVISION 03
Defines 'waterpipe tobacco' to include products consumed in a waterpipe, such as hookah tobacco, shisha, maassel, narghile, and argileh.
This clarifies exactly which products are subject to the new, lower tax rate, avoiding ambiguity in tax collection and enforcement.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 2
R· California
YRS IN OFFICE
25
BILLS LED
54
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%
DEM 1 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTSJUL 15
Introduced in House
JUL 15
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 4404
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJul 15, 2025
Last actionJul 15, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JUL 15, 2025
House BillHR 4404Taxation
Hookah Clarification Act of 2025
INTRODUCED JUL 15, 2025· LAST ACTION JUL 15, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
2
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
